Hafal’s 2006 Convention on mental health recovery to be held at the Pavilion, Llandrindod Wells this Thursday (16th November) will see the launch of key projects to improve the lives of people with severe mental illness across Wales, including:
• Hafal’s new Mentally Disordered Offenders (MDO) Project, funded by Comic Relief, which will include the recruitment of an MDO Development Officer to improve services, deliver training, and provide information for this vulnerable client group.
• Hafal’s new “Next Step” project, funded by the Big Lottery, which will deliver Hafal’s unique Recovery Programme to hundreds of new clients across Wales.
During the day a multi-lingual “1 in 100” publication offering advice on schizophrenia to people in Wales in Welsh and a number of other languages will also be launched, as will Hafal’s Housing Blueprint, offering commissioners a way forward in improving housing for people with severe mental illness.
Bill Walden-Jones, Chief Executive of Hafal, said: “This year’s Recovery Conference is going to be packed with events, launches and milestones. Several new projects will be announced, and our Users’ and Carers’ Forums promise to be even bigger events than previous years. The day will bring together key health professionals and clients and carers from across Wales in a bid to deliver our message: that recovery must be the focus of mental health services in Wales.”
The Recovery Convention, sponsored by Janssen-Cilag, will also include live exhibitions, live debate, live music and live art. 22 staffed, interactive exhibition stands will provide information and advice on advocacy, housing, employment, training and carers’ services. Information and publications will also be available, and a support point providing confidential information and advice from specialist staff will run through the day.